Expansible chamber motor



June 26, .1945. i

w. H. WINEMAN EXPANSIBLE CHAMBER MOTOR Filed Dec. so, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheetl d I In II I lwi;

I far/2120 Zfladembmmn June 26, 1945. w. H. WINEMAN 2,378,965

EXPANSIBLE CHAMBER MOTOR Fil ed Dec. 50, 1943 2 Sheets-Shea: 2 a; /05 I a; M51060 v y a 4/ 52 l 9 6 T I 4 h 1: 62 2% .v I W {EH1 W .5 42

4 66 4; w ?6 66 J! 5 7 4 65 4,6 g; -/0 72-02 Patented June 26, 1945.

EXPANSIBLE CHAMBERMOTORI Wade H. WinemanQMichigan City, Ind, as signor to Sullivan Machinery Company, a corporation 3 v of Massachusetts 1 Application December 30. 1943; Serial No. 516,140 i 11 Claims. 401421- 151.)

My invention relates to motorsdand more particularlyto expansible chamber motors adapted especially for operating pumps. 3

In oil fields wherethe stratum pressure is inadequate to raisethe oil to the surface it is customary toprovide for each well atpum p and an expan-sible chamber motor for operating said pump through a sucker rod line. A system employing as central source of operating fluid is commonlyused for delivering fluid to the pump motors at, say; a pressure from two to three hundred pounds per square inch and taking back fluidq in the return lines from the motors at a pressure of; say, fifty; to one hundred pounds per square inch; 'The pumping motor employedis usually. single acting. andflheis a fluid actuated valve mechanism for controlling thes'upply and.

discharge of operating fluid. At times, events,

such as the blowingoutof the pump packing or the breaking of the sucker rod line, occur to suddenly remove the load from the pump motor.

It is necessary at such times that the; motor be stopped. At .othertimes it is desirable thatone oft the pump motors be stopped so that parts may be repaired or replaced; The valve mechafor each motor should therefore be provided? with automatic means and manual control means :for effecting a stopping of the motor.

-iulometirn'esit is desirable that the strokes of the pump be shortened: so as to efiect an unsan'ding To make this possible, the manof the latter. ual control: for the motor valve mechanisms should. be operative to effect a connection of the motor to thesupply and discharge connections at It is anvobject. of my invention to provide an.

improved motor. It is another object 'of my invention to provide improved control means for a pumpeoperating motor. Another object of my invention is to-provid'e an improved fiuid actu- 1 at ed motor having associatedtherewith improved meansfiorcuttingoff the supplyof operating fluid tOlthGmQtOF in the event the load on the motor is: suddenly removed; Still another object of my invention is to provide a fluid actuated pumpoperating motor having improved means for controlling. manually and automatically the supply of operating fluidmto the motor; fYetanother objector my invention is to provide an improved expansible chamber -motor having improved means associated. therewith for interrupting fluid supply to the motor and connecting the same continuously to exhaust. in the event the motor loses its load. Still another object is toprovide amimproved expansible-ohamber-motorhaving a distributing valve mechanism normally operative automatically to control the connection, of said motor to fluid supply and exhaust, and having manuallcontrolmeans operative at will for effecting; movement. of said-distributing valve to its supply or venting position. \Other objects offmy invention will hereinafter more fully appear. I

In the accompanyingdrawings; in which for purposes of illustration one embodiment which my invention mayassume in practice has been shown.

flFig. 1 is a front elevation of a pumpingmotor having myinventionembodiedthrein. i Fig. 2 isan enlarged cross sectionalview taken onthe plane of the line 2-2 ofrFig. 1. i Fig. 3 is a centralvertlcal section through the lower end of the motor cylinder and its distributingvalve mechanism takenon the plane of the i is a side elevation of valve mechanism and a portion of the lower motor head.

Fig; 5is an enlarged! verticalsectional view taken on the plane of the line 5-5 of Fig. 2-. r

Fig. 6- isra vertical sectional View like that of Fig. 5', but showingthe distributing valve in a different position. .1 w i Fig. '7 is-an enlarged' sectional view taken on the plane-of thel-irie l -l of51 Fi gs. 8 and 9. are sectional views-similar to Fig. '1; but, showing partsin diffierent positions. Fig. -10 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the plane of the: linev l0 l'0 of' Fig. 6. i

Fig. 11 isan enlarged sectional view taken on theNplane oi the line" l t-41,: of Fig. 5. v

. Fig. 12 1s anenlarged sectional view takenwon In theJillustrative embodiment of the invention, there is shown" a pump cmotor, generally designated 1!, carried by suitable supporting means, a portionrofwhichf iswshown. at 2. '1 The pump motor comprises a cylinder 4 having a bore 5 receiving a reciprocable piston. 6 which -has a piston rod? l adaptedito be connected to a suitable pump rod' or sucker rod line. Associated with the cylinderi's an upper head member 8and a lower head member 9; the head members'bein g clamped to the ends. ofthe cylinder by a series of tie rods I0; Thei lower head member. 9 is provided with a valve. chest, generally desig-- nated I'Z housing and? supporting mechanism for. controlling the supplyand discharge of fluid relative to the cylinderbore; r i

i The valvechestcomprises'a motor fluid supply 'space l3 to which fluid is supplied through a supply connection [4' and an exhaust space 15 which: is connected to an exhaust connection IS. The fluid: supplymay be at a pressure iront200 tor-!) pound's perxsquare inch, and the exhaust connection is maintained? by suitable means; not

shown, under afback pressure which may be within a range of to l'00hpounds per square inch. A passage l 1 extends from a space I8,

intermediate spaces l3 and; to the lower end .ofthe cylinder bore 5. The supplyspaoe l3 the distributing mounted in a series of bores 22, 23, 24 and 25.

of progressively decreasing sizes and is provided with shoulders at 26 adapted to seat upon supporting surfaces 21, or, preferably, upon gaskets' 28 at the junctions of thestepped bores. A head 29 is clamped on the valve chest I2, as by screws 39, oppositethe lower end of the chamber forming element 2|, and has a reduced portion 3| fitting within a bore 32 which extends throughout something more than half the length of the'element 2|. The element 2|, fits loosely at its lower end within a bore 33 in the valve chest member so as to provide a continuous connection between the-exhaust space I and a space 34-surrounding the reduced portion 3| of the head member 29. Passage means 35 connects the space 34 and the lower end-of the bore 32. The bore 32 is connected by. ports respectively numbered 36, 31 and 38 with the supply space I3, the cylinder connected space I8, and the .exhaust space I5. Opening through the upper end of the element 2| is a bore 39 coaxial with the bore 32 and-somewhat larger than the latter bore. An upper head 40 is heldin any suitable manner, as by screws 4|, in a position to close the upper end of the bore 39 and to hold the element 2| in place.

Reciprocable within the bores 32 and 39 is a distributing valve element 43 havinga lower head portion 44 fitting the bore 32, an intermediate portion 45 also fitting the bore 32, a narrow annular enlarged portion 46 fitting the bore 39, and an "upper longer enlarged portion 4'! also fitting the bore '39. The portions 44, 45, 46 and Marc each appropriately ringed or otherwise packed. Portions 46 and 41 are separated by a reduced'portion 48 which provides a fluid conducting groove 49 whose function will be later described. Portions 44 and 45 are separated by a reduced portion 50 to provide a space 5| for selectively connecting the passage H with the supply and exhaust spaces in the difierent positions of the distributing valve. Any suitable means may be provided, if desired, such as a stop boss 52,'to prevent'the distributing valve 43 from making a complete surface contact between its upper end and the inner side of the head46. I Extending longitudinally through the element 2| is a passage 55 communicating'at its upper end with the top of the bore- 39, and opening at its lower end into the bore 39 at a point which communicates with the groove 49 when'the distributing'valve is in its upper position; and which is covered by the head 41 when the distributing valve is in its lower position. A passage 58 in the element 2| opens into the bore 39 at a point uncovered by the upper end of the head 41 of the distributing valve when the latter is in its lower off any pressure fluid leaking alon the valve 43.

Attached to the side of the element 2|, as by through the outer surface of the element 2| into the chamber 64. Arranged'within this chamber is a valve plate 65 connected to a pin 66 which -is rotatably supported in bores 61 and 68, respectively, in the element 2| and in the plate member 62. Attached to the outer end of the pin 66 is an operating lever Ill by means of which the Valve plate 65 may be rotated to any one of the positions shown in Figs. '7, 8 and 9. Formed in the inner face of the valve plate 65 are radial grooves TI .and T2, and arcuate grooves I3 and I4. Extending through the valve plate between the grooves |I, l3and I2, I4, as shown in Fig. 7, are ports "I5 and I6. 7 5

Formed in the element 2|, as shown inFig. 10, are passages 82 and 83 opening through the inner Wall of the chamber 64 at points which are connected by the radial grooves'II and I2, respectively, to the passages 58 and 59 when'the valve plate 65 is in the position shownin Fig. 7. A conduit 65 connects the passage ,82 with the cylinder bore 5 at a point186 in the-latter so lo-' cated that it is uncovered by :the upper end of the downwardly movingpiston 6 only approximately as the desired lower limit of the piston stroke is reached. A conduit 8'! connectsnthe passage 83 with the cylinder bore at a point 88 so located that the upwardly moving piston passes above it only as the piston attains approximately to the desired upper limit of travel. Extending longitudinally through the element 2| is a passage 89 connecting the port 36 in communication with the inner end of the bore 61. Formed in the valve supporting pin 66 are passage means 9| opening through the inner' end of the pin and communicating with the valve chamber64 at the outer side of the valve plate 65. When the valve plate is in the position shown in Fig. 8, the ports 75 and I6 in the valve plate connect the chamber 64 at the outer side of the valve plate in communication with the passages 58'and 59. 'Ven't passages 93 and 94in the element 2 I open through through the grooves I3 and I4 to the vent pas sages 93 and 94. Y

It is evident that the valve plate 65 may be moved manually through the'lever I9 to any one of the positions shown. Associated with the'lever I0 are control means, generally designated 96, for moving the valve plate 65 automatically from the position shown in Fig. 7 to the position shown in Fig. 8 when certain events, shortly to be explained, take place. The control'means 96 comprises, as

shown in Fig. 12, a cylinder member 91 having a bore 96 containing a reciprocable plunger 99 which has a portion I96 projecting through one end of the cylinder. the cylinder and the plunger to hold the latter normally in a retracted position. A cylinder head I92. is provided with a port I 93 connecting the bore 99 in communication with a conduit I04 which opens into the bore 5 of the motor cylinder at a point above the upper end of the normal stroke'ofthe piston 6. Attached to the cylinder 91 is a spring I05 having a bent end |66for engaging a projecting portion IilTon the valve operating lever I0 when the valve 55 is in the position shown in Fig. 7, and acting to hold yield- A spring |0I acts between ing ly the valve in'such position. 'Fixed to the lever 10 is a 'projecting arm i 09 adapted-to engagethe cylinder 91 for limiting. the swinging of the lever 10 to the position shown in Fig. "9. When fluid is supplied under pressure to the bore 98, the plunger 99Yis forced outwardly and 'actuates the lever to *move the valve 55 into the 'positionshown in-Fig. 8..

i The upper portion of the cylinder'bore 5 is connected through a suitable automatic relief valve device H in communication with the atmosphere. This device is effective during normal operation of the pump "motor to preclude the building *up of a material back pressure against the motor piston during its upward movement,

but eiiective largely to prevent .discharge of air 'from above the motor piston when the latter moves upwardly faster than a predetermined maximum rate.

The operation of the mechanism described is as follows: Assuming that the valve plate 65 is in the position shown in Fig. "7, and that the distributing valve is inits fluid supplying position shown in'Fig. 6, pressure fluid will then pass from the motor fluid supply chamber l3 through the port 36, the space SI and the passage I! to the cylinder "borewhere it acts on the piston B to move the latter in an upward direction. As

the piston passes above the point 86 where the -conduit-85 connects to the motor cylinder, nothing happens since the "passage 58 connecting the conduit 85to the bore 39 of 'thedistributing valve is blocked-off by the head portion 41. The motor piston continues to move upwardly until the point 88 is overrun. At thistime pressure fluid from beneath the motor piston passes through the conduit "81, the passage 83, the groove 12, the paslsage "59, the groove 49 and the passage 55 to the upper endof the bore 39. where it acts on the head portion 41 of the distributing valve, and moves the latter toits venting position, shownin Fig. 5. The space beneath the motor piston is then connected through thepassage l'l, port3'l,thespace 51 and the port BB to the exhaust chamber l5, and since the pressure beneaththe motor piston is insufficient to support theload on the latter,

the piston will move downwardly in the motor cylinder bore. ers the point88 when the conduit 81 connects to the motor cy1inder,.nothing happens since the When the motor piston uncovpassagejfiis I covered atits inner end by the head portion 41 of the distributing valve. As the motor piston passes below the point 36, however,

fiuidwillbeventedffrom the space above the dis tributing valve through the passage 58,the groove 1|,the passage 82, the conduit 85, and the upper portion of the cylinder bore to atmosphere .through. the reliefvalve. H0. The distributin valve .will then be. forced upwardly due to the back pressure acting on the head portion 44, and fluid will then againbe supplied to the motor cylinder to start another upward stroke .of the motor piston. i j r If it .isdesired to stop the operation of the {motor piston, it is only necessary to move the valve plate 6'5 into the position shown in Fig. 8.

With the valve plate in this position, fluid is sup- ,plied from the supply chamber l3through the port .36, passage 89, and the. passage means 9| to the valve chamber at the outer sidefof the valve plate where it flows through the ports and 1:6 to the passages 58 and 59 If the distributing valve is in its upper position, fluid will flow from the passage 59 through the groove 49 to the apassage 55 where it will be conducted to the upper end of the head portion 41 and force the distributing valve to its lowertposition. With the distributing valve in its lower position, fluid the passage 103, It will be seen that the passage 1'04 communicates with the motor cylinder at a point which is normally connected to atmosphere. In the event that the motor piston moves upwardly too fast due to a blowout of the :pump

packing or .a rupture of the sucker rod line, the communication to atmosphere through the relief valve H0 will be largely cut off and pressure within the upper portion of the motor *cylinder will be delivered through conduit .104 to the plunger 99 for moving the latter to eifect ac- "tuation of the lever 10 .for moving the valve plate 55 into the position shown inFig. 8. As long as the valve plate 6-5 remains in the position shown "in Fig. 8, the operation of the pump motor will be discontinued.

At times it may be desirable that the .motor piston be caused to reciprocate in short strokes. By moving the valve plate .65 from the position shown in Fig. 8 to that shown in. Fig. 9, fluid will be vented from the upper end of the head portion 41 of the distributing valveythrough the .passages58 and 59 to the annular grooves 13 r and 14 and the vent passages :93 and :84. The

distributing valve will then be moved. by back provided unimproved pump motor. noted that the operation of the motor piston may be controlled automatically or manually to disxpressure acting on its lower head; portion .44 to its upper position for delivering pressure -fiuidto the motor cylinder. When the motor piston has moved upwardlythe desired distance, the valve plate 65 may againm be moved manually to the position shown in Fig. 8ffOI delivering :pressure fluid -to the upper end of the distributing valve and causing the latter to move to its exhaust effecting position. It will be seen that by manually adjusting the valve plate 65 to the positions .shown in Figs. .8 and 9, any :desired stroke of thernotor piston may be obtained.

As a result of this invention'there has been It will be ,continueits operation. The fluid supplymay also .be conveniently controlled to effect. any desired operation .of the motor piston.

While there is in this application specifically described one form which the invention may. as-

sume in practice, it will be understood that this form of thesame is shown for purposes of illus- 'trationand that the invention may be modified andembodiecl in various other forms without departing from its spirit or .the scope of the appended claims. I

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. .In combination, a single-acting expansi'ble chamber motor having a cylinder, a *piston'reciprocabie iinsaid cylinder, a fluid actuated diswtributing valve having a cylinder connected throwingpassage, a source of throwing pressure "independentof said cylindenventing means, and

means 'for selectively connecting said distributein'g valve to said throwing passage, .sa'id independent source of throwing :pressure, and said iventing means.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION. Patent No. 2,578,965. June 26, 19115.

WADE H. WINEMAN.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 1, sec- 0nd column, line 1, for the word "position" read --positions--; page L, sec- YOIld column, line 7 Claim ""for" after "valve" .read "to"; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 6th da of November, D. 19L 5.

Leslie Frazer (Seal) First Assistant Commissioner of Patents. 

